About This Quiz
A handyman is only as good as his tools. Without them, he simply cannot get the job done.
Just think about it, no matter what the job, big or small, there will be a screw that needs to be turned into wood, metal or even stone. There will be holes that need to be drilled, wood that must be cut to the right size and sanded, painting jobs and more, much more. And for that, a handyman has a tool for each specific job... and possibly a large toolbox to fit them all in!
That said, for those who just fix things around the house, there is no need for a wide range of tools. The basics are often good enough. A few good tools can go a long way for the small DIY jobs. For anything more complicated, it's probably better to call the professionals.
So let's cut to the chase then. Let's see how many handyman tools you can identify from just a description of a few sentences. Most are pretty self-explanatory, while a few others might cause you to think a little!
Just take your time and think carefully!
And a handyman you should prove to be!
Good luck!
Sometimes things need to be hit. That's where a hammer comes in useful. As an example, a tight bolt might need a friendly tap to loosen it. Or the more obvious - a nail that needs to be smashed into some wood. Hammers are useful for many things!
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The two main types of screwdrivers are the flat head and the Phillips. These are used for two different screw types, and you certainly want both in your toolbox. No handyman should leave home without them.
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Back in the day, drills had to be cranked by hand to drill into wood and the like. Nowadays, home drills are sturdy and can drill into practically anything. If they can't, get an industrial drill!
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Hacksaws have blades with fine teeth, perfect for cutting through metals. This is the saw you turn to when faced with a metal bar that needs to be shortened, for example.
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An awl is simply a tool with a wooden handle (normally) and a piece of metal with a sharp tip. It is used to pierce holes in a variety of objects.
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Tool belts are fantastic if you need to keep your tools close. It has loops to hang tools, small pockets for nails and screws and many other storage areas.
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Duct tape is simply incredible. Certainly, no handyman should be without a roll (or two).
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To protect your eyes, a pair of safety glasses should always be in a handyman's toolbox.
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A range of pliers are important in the work of a handyman including the flat nose.
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A handyman won't only have one spanner, he will have a few. Spanners are perfect for tightening or releasing nuts in easy to reach places.
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A tape measure of around 50 feet is a toolbox essential for a handyman. You will be measuring often.
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Handymen don't always work in the light! For that reason, a torch is a necessity. Actually, a headlamp is probably better as it means you have two free hands, not just one.
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No point in having a drill if you don't have drill bits. They come in different types with some being good for drilling through wood, others for masonry and others for drilling through metal.
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A multitool has many little tools on it, including various screwdrivers, a small saw, and other things. The great thing is they can be carried around in your back pocket.
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A caulking gun is used to seal piping for example. It can also be used to apply silicone to seal tiles in a bathroom.
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Working with drills, hammers and other tools that can generate a fair amount of noise means that a handyman should have some form of ear protection. Earmuffs are perfect in this regard.
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A level is a simple way to tell if something is straight. It simply uses liquid to show if a shelf, for example, is straight or not before you hang it in place.
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Never leave home without them! Many manufacturers use bolts with Allen key heads, so having a range of sizes is a great idea as well. Having a metric and standard set is what you should aim for.
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Not much explanation needed. A stepladder, although not a necessity in a handyman's arsenal, certainly can come in very handy.
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Another useful, but not quite necessary handyman tool. An extension cord is useful in working in areas without a power point.
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A chisel is used to remove small pieces of wood with its sharp blade. An essential tool of a wood worker, it is not out of place in a handyman's toolbox either.
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A socket set, along with a socket tool and extender, means no bolt is a problem for a handyman.
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If you are using heavy duty machinery, wearing gloves is probably a good option. Leather gloves offer good protection without losing the 'feel.'
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To apply a nice smooth finish to wood, or to shape it to some degree, you can use an electric sander.
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A mask will ensure that no fine dust or sawdust is inhaled into your lungs. It is a must in this regard.
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There are lots of marks to make and calculations to work out in the life of a handyman. Your pencil should never be far from you then.
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Wire strippers are brilliant for taking off the outer coating of electrical wire and stripping it off, just leaving the wire itself. Although not an absolute necessity for a handyman's toolbox, it can come in very useful.
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Ok, a leak detector is certainly not an essential tool, but for the handyman who wants everything, it should be in his toolbox. And when you do need to find a leak, it's far better to use this than breaking down walls.
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A few different sized crescent wrenches can do the job of triple the amount of spanners. They do not grip as well though, so there is a slight downfall.
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A useful tool, side snips can cut plastic, thin sheets of metal, wires and piping. Useful, hey?
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Needlenose pliers have a thin tapering tip that makes a point. This is useful for gripping things in hard to reach places or to bend pieces of wire, for example.
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When a handyman is finished with his work, he cleans up! Think about it, all that drilling and sanding is going to leave some dust, and the best way to deal with that is a brush!
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Snip, cut, snip! Although not essential, it's not a bad idea for a handyman to have a pair of heavy duty scissors, if not in his toolbox, then in his workshop.
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Sandpaper comes in a range of grades, some rough and some finer. It can be used for all kinds of sanding work, it's easy to store and won't take up any space in a toolbox.
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Wood glue is strong and resilient and can form a very strong bond. Many handymen have a bottle of wood glue in their kits in case of an emergency.
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